Party to raise money for Haiti

The images of devastation and desperation that are coming out of Haiti have touched millions of people around the world and in the Triangle.

"Everybody knows about the tragedy that's happening in Haiti and so we all wanted to do something and make a difference," Tara Zechini with Echelon Hospitality said.

That's why Echelon Hospitality, which owns three local restaurants in Raleigh, hosted a fundraiser at the Oxford, Sunday.

"What we wanted was an opportunity for everybody to get together, have fun and help Haiti," Zechini said.

A $5 donation got people inside to enjoy, a silent auction and a raffle. The money raised will be used to purchase medical supplies for earthquake victims and help the organization "Hope for Haiti" with a long-term project.

"We have a building in Benay that we have found out is still standing and so we're going to be transforming the building that we purchased into a hospital," Zechini said. "We want to make a lot of money for the foundation so we can help those that really need it."

Within the first hour of the event, dozens of people had already packed the restaurant. Charlie Ibarra was among them.

"The least you can do is something like this but you can always do more," Ibarra said.

In addition to the money raised at the fundraiser, the Oxford, Sono and Mura at North Hills will each donate 10 percent of their sales on Sunday to the "Hope for Haiti" foundation.